Norfolk City Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Stapleton, Mary Elizabeth  June 29, 1954
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Dorothy Strawhand http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00034.html#0008405 January 9, 2025, 3:16 pm

Norfolk Virginian Pilot June 30, 1954

            Mary Stapleton, Formerly in City Government, Dies

Miss Mary Elizabeth Stapleton, 59, who in 1918 became secretary to Norfolk's 
first City Manager, Charles E. Ashburner and remained in city government for 10 
years, died yesterday at 12:30 p.m. in Leigh Memorial Hospital after a short 
illness.
The daughter of Lawrence and Mrs. Theresa  Brown Stapleton she was born in 
Norfolk March 1, 1895. Her only survivor is a brother, Thomas L. Stapleton, of 
Norfolk. She resided at 1446 Westover Avenue.
Before becoming secretary to the City Manager, she was the secretary for the Old 
Board of Control. When the new form of government was adopted for Norfolk, she 
was virtually "drafted" into it because of her established reputation for 
familiarity with details of municipal affairs..
During her tenure of office, which continued under Ashburner's successor, 
William R. Causey, she became acknowledged as "the right-hand man" of city 
government.
In 1928, she resigned to enter the insurance field, stating, "There is no place 
for a woman in politics."
On occasions, when the City Manager was indisposed, Miss Stapleton was virtually 
the director of the city government.
At one time, the red-haired secretary was one of the country's leading duckpin 
bowlers, it being one of her chief diversions. She also was fond of other 
sports. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
The body was removed to the H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments, pending 
arrangements.
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STAPLETON, MARY ELIZABETH - At a local hospital, Tuesday, June 29, 1954, at 
12:30 p.m., MARY ELIZABETH STAPLETON, daughter of the late Lawrence and Theresa 
Brown Stapleton, in the 60th year of her age. Remains will be taken from the H. 
D. Oliver Funeral Apartments, 1501 Colonial Avenue, to Sacred Heart Catholic 
Church for funeral services THURSDAY MORNING at 11 o’clock. Friends of the 
family are invited to attend. Interment, St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Norfolk Virginian-Pilot July 1, 1954



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